You can install the torque of a honda into a TDI with just a chiptune and nozzles. :D

Your 300D Trubo isn't really that slow. It will get you where you need to be. Just relax and enjoy the ride. You've never driven a slow car (NA300D, improperly tuned VW 1.6... I drove one for a while that had probably 40 hp. I ended up being a lot less stressed that week... the car just did its thing at its pace and I was along for the ride)

-Jason

Okay for $1000 you could do the VNT turbo swap and put a proper air filter back on. Again if you are trying to make this thing go fast you are on the losing end of the game. Find a running V-8 mercedes and have fun! That would be my honest suggestion

A VNT won't get you anywhere unless you add more fuel first. The stock turbo should be more then enough to do 15 PSI, but at those pressures I would want an intercooler.

-Jason

For $1000, a V8 swap would be the most bang for the buck. That's my vote, sell the 617 to someone who can appreciate it.

hmmm how about a GM 6.2 or 6.5 turbo swap?
weight would be an issue, and boost would be limited to 8 or so psi, but you'd get another 60 to 110 or so HP... much faster motor,,, SBC swaps have been done, heck, throw in a 5 or 6 speed manual tranny, and you could do some serious moving in the car... and still be under the 1000$ budget... it'd be a crappy car at that point, but if you want to stay diesel, and have speed in your 123, that's the way to look at this point...
a 4bt is too rough, and expensive, the better MB motors won't fit easy or cheap in the car, NO WAY a powerstroke would fit in the car, cummins are just huge and pricey too...

x2. A K&N filter can potentially provide performance gains on certain motors. A turbo-diesel is not one of them. You are getting ZERO added performance from that K&N. None. Not even 1 hp. Nothing. Is there some way we can make this clearer?

With that K&N perfectly brand new and freshly oiled and performing exactly as it is intended, it is still letting a LOT of dirt into the engine. A LOT. Way way more than the factory paper filter. If you're "not thoroughly convinced" then you're not thoroughly educated.

Did I mention it doesn't increase performance AT ALL on this engine?

Further, the original intake as delivered from the factory is a cold air intake. I'm afraid to ask what sort of "cold air intake" you planned to replace it with.

Really? Are you actually suggesting to reduce the oil cooling capacity on a turbocharged motor and trying to increase output at the same time?? :freak: You need a new hobby because quite frankly, you have no understanding of how an engine works.

And your performance budget is $1000? Really? You can almost buy a nice bicycle with that. ;)

If you want a fast diesel, sell your car and buy a new CDI.

I seriously still say go with a 500E, the w124 is a classy and sporty chassis and you have a hand built porsche engine for possibly under 5 grand.. You could have some serious fun with a car like that, but still maintain that Mercedes look.

I am wondering, if you are not happy with your 617, if it is running right?

Some members have seen marked improvements from installing new nozzles. Also, a proper valve adjustment can make a huge difference.

Also, are you getting full accelerator pedal travel?

Is your transmission adjusted correctly?

The only simple mod I can think of that might make a difference is to install the 2600 rpm stall converter from an '85 model, if you haven't already.

My 617 turbo cars run as well as anything on the highway, they have adequate power and are not slow by my standards.

Maybe some basic maintenance would change the feel of the car for you.

Here you go - swap already done & for only $2800.

http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/1395058811.html

Looks like a waste of a good SD.

I can guarantee that no matter what you do to the 300D short of installing a rocket booster on the back, my 300E will take it down every time, stock. It is just not a fast car. You need to accept this at some point. :D Preferably before you fully destroy that poor 617. Get that K&N Junk off of it!

If you want fast buy a different car.

Well if you are set on leaving the interior stock your other best option is exterior mods. It's a power to weight game in ANY vehicle. So pull the doors, my god they wiegh a ton. Trunk lid and hood with front fenders. Discard sun roof. Then as others suggested strip the motor. No spare tire and only a gallon of fuel. No wipers or mirrors.

Then get a set of street slicks and go the the track. Easily mid 13's if you really get serious. Sounds like you have a car set up for the track so you should know all these tricks already. Good luck. Thanks

That is a gorgous w126. I can fathom how some one could destroy a car like that!

woah, woah, guys. ease up on me a bit. i'm sure everyone has strong feelings about this engine, and others believe you shouldn't mess with a good thing from the factory. it's got decent power for its age, but every engine can be tuned.

as a disclaimer, I'm an m102/m103 guy--this is my first diesel car, i hardly drive it more than a few miles every few weeks or so, when i go to my dad's house, where it's parked. i was basically hoping to get some advice on well-known, well-documented tuning that's been done to these cars to eek out some more power without breaking the bank. i'm not asking these questions to instigate you or piss you off. and i'm certainly not into hondas, although I do own an ae82 toyota, and am into the mid-80's 16v scene (190e 2.3-16v, ae86, etc.)

so, having said that, take no offense to my questions. instead think about how you can EDUCATE me, rather than bag on me.

but you know what, forget i said that--keep the flames coming (just don't tell craig about this thread)

by the way how about having the head re-worked, and port-matching the intake and exhaust manifolds to the gaskets? has this been tried before with decent success?

you know what, in all seriousness, if i did all that, i could prolly shave a sec of my quarter mile. the doors DO weigh a ton, and so do the sunroof, so that's all something to think about--i'll take it into consideration. while i'm at it, why not cut out the spare tire well--that thing weighs a ton, too

actually larry, i have seen a 190e with a corvette engine in it. anything is doable. if you have a nice body, you can strip out the wiring harness and ancillaries off the engine bay, and have a fresh canvas to work with, and do whatever you want to, including a big block chevy 454 ss engine.